Driver Cited in I-235 Crash that Caused Traffic Mess Monday

Des Moines police responded to a four-vehicle accident just after 7:30 a.m. It happened on the westbound side of I-235 near the 56th Street Exit.

Witnesses say a man was driving erratically and very fast before he struck the center median. After that, he veered into traffic hitting three other vehicles. The driver, 38-year-old Jason Zika of Dexter, has been cited for careless driving in the case.

There were minor injuries reported and two people were taken to the hospital.

Traffic was backed up for miles for about an hour, when the road re-opened.

“Obviously that complicated the morning commute. We had to shut down the westbound lanes and divert traffic off of the freeway. The commotion on the westbound side slows down the eastbound traffic, so it became quite a mess out here,” said Sgt. Paul Parizek with the Des Moines Police Department.

Police say Zika could face more charges in connection with the accident.